It’s been kind of non-stop for D’Angelo Russell since Ohio State’s season ended back on March 21.
He’s been around the country on the post-season awards circuit and even made a stop in New York City to watch his former high school team win its third-straight national championship. But none of that seems to have taken its toll on the Buckeyes’ prized freshman guard.
“I feel great,” Russell said Monday night prior to Ohio State’s Scholar-Athlete Dinner. “I’m ready for a rematch (with Arizona) right now.”
Russell’s latest stop before returning to Columbus was a trip to Los Angeles last weekend for the College Basketball Awards Show. He was nominated for the Wooden Award — given to the top player in the country — and finished fifth in voting. Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky won the award. Russell, however, took home the Jerry West Award, which is given to the best shooting guard in college basketball.
While in Los Angeles, Russell had the opportunity to meet some of basketball’s biggest legends: West, Julius Erving, Karl Malone, among others.
“It was great, man, just to get to talk to those guys: Jerry West, Julius Erving, Karl Malone, all those guys are great guys,” Russell said. “You wouldn’t know that they’re Hall of Famers just seeing them in the street. They’re big, but just talking to them they’re better people. Just how fortunate I am to win that award is a blessing so it’s been great, man.”
“I didn’t come into college trying to be a one-and-done type guy trying to get in and get out. I was a guy that came in, unpacked my bags and was looking to get comfortable the best way I can.”– D'Angelo Russell
Hanging out with NBA legends isn’t something college freshmen get to do every day. Russell enjoyed every minute of it.
“Jerry West is very blunt; he just keeps it very up front,” Russell said. “I asked him what I need to work on — if I have the chance to play in the league what’s something I could do to stay ahead and not come in behind or anything.”
So, what does the man who is on the NBA's logo have for advice for a potential top-five NBA Draft pick?
"(West) said, ‘Your skill is there, the way you think and play the game is ahead of a lot of guys,’" Russell said. "He said just experience would be the biggest thing for me, playing under a great veteran or something like that would help me gain that experience and put me over the top.”
Russell has been so wrapped up in all that’s come with being one of college basketball’s best players, he hasn’t much time to even think about what lies ahead.
After all, he has quite a decision to make. Russell has until April 26 to decide if he wants to enter his name into the upcoming NBA Draft or if he wants to return to Ohio State for his sophomore season.
That decision may be coming in the next few days.
“This weekend, I’m sitting down with my family,” Russell said. “I honestly haven’t even discussed anything with my dad, with my brothers, anything. We’re starting from scratch and, like I said, I’m taking this weekend to myself and my family and we’re going through that.”
Nobody could fault Russell should he choose to opt for the NBA Draft. He’s projected as a top-five pick by just about everyone. It's the most logical choice.
That doesn’t mean he’s not going to take his time with the decision, though.
“I didn’t come into college trying to be a one-and-done type guy trying to get in and get out,” Russell said. “I was a guy that came in, unpacked my bags and was looking to get comfortable the best way I can. It’s great moving at my own pace.”
Whenever Russell makes that decision on his future, it's clear he's taken his time to go through the whole process. And while life has been somewhat of a whirlwind since his first college season came to an end, it's clear Russell has enjoyed every minute of it.
“It’s a blessing to be able to be in the position I am today. I wish I could tell everybody that."
